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The icon corner, sacred corner or red corner, () is a small Christian worship space prepared in the homes of Eastern Orthodox, Greek-Catholic, Eastern Lutheran and Catholic Church Christianity. It has pre-Christian roots and also appears in homes of Rodnovers. The analogous concept in Western Christianity is the home altar.
An icon corner is normally oriented to face east. It is often located in a corner to eliminate worldly distractions and allow prayer to be more concentrated. Here is where the icons that the family owns should be located, normally including at least icons of Jesus Christ, the Theotokos, and the Patron Saint of the family. An oil lamp normally hangs in front of the icons. The careful trimming of the lamp to keep it burning at all times is interpreted as symbolic of the attentive daily care faithful Christians should take over their souls. Relics of saints (if the family possesses any) and a Gospel Book and a blessing Christian cross would be kept there, as well as incense, holy water, palms and pussywillow from Palm Sunday, candles from Easter (Easter), and other sacred items, as well as a personal Commemoration Book (containing the names of family and loved ones, both living and departed, to be remembered in prayer).
Ideally, the icon corner is located so that it is visible when one first enters the house from the main entrance. Traditionally, when first entering the house, an Orthodox Christian would venerate the icons before greeting the members of the house.
A traditional Orthodox family will gather together every day for morning and evening prayers. Sometimes, at the end of the prayers, the head of the household will take the thurible and cense the icons and all the members of the household.
Often, in addition to the icon corner, a family will hang a small "portal icon" (usually of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child) by the door, which is venerated by family and guests whenever going in or out of the house.
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